Alleged Drug Distributor On The Run In Ocean County Drug Induced Death Captured In North Carolina

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little today announced the arrest of Paul E. Robinson, 24, of Toms River, NJ who was wanted in connection with the February 6, 2013 strict liability drug induced death of Jamie Caravella, 23, in Toms River.  Robinson was charged on April 28 with Caravella’s death, along with, Rufus A. Young, 41, of Freehold and Pedro A. Valentin Jr, 23, of Perth Amboy, NJ.  Young and Valentin were served they’re arrest warrants and are presently in custody.

 

The charges against Robinson, Young, and Valentin stem from an investigation which began on February 6, 2013 at approximately 5:07am when the Toms River Police Department received a 911 telephone call advising of an unresponsive female at a Pine Crest Drive address in Toms River.  TRPD Officer Ronald Bayer arrived at the location to find Jamie Caravella lying on the floor of a bedroom in the residence not breathing and with no pulse.   Empty bags of heroin and a needle were found near Caravella.  Toms River Medic Unit #11, along with MONOC #212, arrived on scene and the victim was pronounced dead at approximately 5:27am via telephone with Newark Beth Israel Hospital.

 

On February 7, 2013, a post mortem examination was conducted by the Office of the Ocean County Medical Examiner.  The autopsy provided a critical piece of evidence needed to solidify the charges against Young, Valentin, and Robinson.  The Medical Examiner found the cause of death was a negative reaction to heroin.

 

Young, Valentin, and Robinson are charged with First Degree Drug Induced Death and Second Degree Manslaughter.  Young was servedby Ocean County Prosecutor Det. John Carroll and Toms River Ptl. Andy Chenchirk with his arrest warrant on 4/29/14 at approximately 3pm in the Monmouth County Correctional Facility.  Young has been incarcerated there since March 27, 2014 on violations of Federal Narcotic charges.  Valentin was arrested 4/29/14, with the help of the Perth Amboy Special Investigations Bureau, at approximately 9:30pm at 156 Gordon Street in Perth Amboy, NJ.  Robinson fled the state and was arrested yesterday (5/1) at approximately 6:30pm by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Mebane, North Carolina.  The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will immediately begin extradition proceedings.  Bail for all three on the issued charges has been set at $200,000 cash only.

 

Prosecutor Coronato and Chief Little extend their sincere thanks to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in quickly apprehending Robinson, and to the many good citizens who responded to our call for information by supplying critical information leading to Robinson’s arrest.

 

The Major Crimes Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Special Enforcement Team (SET) of the Toms River Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit all contributed to the investigation culminating in the charges filed against Robinson, Young, and Valentin.  This case is being prosecuted by Ocean County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Michael R. Weatherstone.  Below are each defendant’s specific charges and photos:

 

Rufus A. Young: 1 count of Strict Liability, 1 count of Manslaughter.

Pedro A. Valentin Jr: 1 count of Strict Liability, 1 count of Manslaughter, 2 counts of Distribution of Heroin.

Paul E. Robinson: 1 count of Strict Liability, 1 count of Manslaughter, 1 count of Distribution of Heroin.